Rex Ryan: We can win with Vick, but Geno is the starter

Jets coach Rex Ryan made official after Friday night’s preseason game what has been expected all along: Geno Smith will open the regular-season as the starting quarterback.

Ryan said that the Jets have been pleased with Michael Vick, but Smith has earned the starting job.

“He’ll be our starter,” Ryan said of Smith. “He’s done everything that we’ve asked him. This is no slight to Mike Vick because, believe me, I wanted to come out of this with two really good quarterbacks that we think we can win games with, and in my heart, I feel that we have two that we can win with. I’m really happy with the way Mike played as well, but we’re going to go with Geno. I feel very comfortable with that.”

Ryan was asked if Smith is “a week-to-week starter,” and he didn’t seem to like that question.

“Oh man. It’s week-to-week. We don’t name starters all the dang time. We don’t have to do the song-and-dance,” Ryan said. “We’re happy with both the quarterbacks, period. We think we can win with both quarterbacks. Just refer to any other coach who has a similar situation and what he would say. I know we have two really good quarterbacks. A lot of things happen. That’s why I never wanted to do this. Last year, we thought the competition was still wide open, but Geno had three interceptions in one game. It wasn’t great. You leave it there and let guys compete. The thing that I love about what Mike and Geno are doing is that they push each other. They support each other more than anybody. It’s a great situation to have and one that I feel blessed to have. We have two outstanding quarterbacks.”

Now Smith has to play like an outstanding quarterback when the season starts, so Ryan can stop getting questions about Vick.

Vick will b starter when it’s to late to save the season,entire staff will b fired,Rex will never get a job coaching at any level ever again,jet will finish just above bills in AFC east because bills have the only QB worse then geno

Vick isn’t there to be a backup. If he was content being a backup why would he leave Philly? It was widely publicized that the Eagles would keep him in a backup roll. So the question is, why would he leave a much much much better team in Philly for the same “backup” roll with the NYJ? Because he plans to be the starter……
Keep saying the right things Vick.

The two biggest mysteries in the NFL: Jerrah Jones as a GM and “coach”, and Rex Ryan being a head coach? Just like Norv Turner, who is not head coaching material but an excellent OC, Ryan is an excellent DC but certainly not headcoaching material. ………but then Woody Johnson and Jerrah are both pathetic owners so I guess it shouldn’t be too surprising.

The thing that I love about what Mike and Geno are doing is that they push each other. They support each other more than anybody. It’s a great situation to have and one that I feel blessed to have. We have two outstanding quarterbacks

I guess Rex missed the part where Vick already flat out said there was no open competition , and he was told from day 1 that Smith would be the starter

Haha Jets fans keep saying Geno is better then EJ.. EJ 10 games 11tds 9 picks. Geno 16 games 12tds 21picks. EJ has way better weapons a way better Offensive line and better RBs. The Jets are a mess besides the defensive line and 2 good LBs. Can’t wait for the season to start.

They aren’t going to the Super Bowl anytime soon, but Geno Smith out played two time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning last night who only looked good when the Jets stopped rushing more than three guys during the two minutes at the end of the half.

Out playing Eli isn’t like out playing Peyton not to mention the Giants D is not what they once were. Geno didn’t look bad. Jets fans again keep saying your glad you play the Phins and Bills twice the Phins are better and the Bills slapped the Jets around in the second game.. So keep thinking they are easy wins. The fans are just as smug as the team and coaches that’s why everyone loves watching them fail.

Haha Jets fans keep saying Geno is better then EJ.. EJ 10 games 11tds 9 picks. Geno 16 games 12tds 21picks. EJ has way better weapons a way better Offensive line and better RBs. The Jets are a mess besides the defensive line and 2 good LBs. Can’t wait for the season to start.

I’m sorry pal, but EJ Manuel still looks lost out there. Geno played great last night. The jury’s still out on both but right now Geno looks like an NFL QB and Manuel looks like another Bills first round bust.

All you Jets fans need to chill. You got a great QB in Geno. Forget about Vick, and make sure your dogs are home safe. You’re all so impatient. You can’t put the Jets’ lack of performance solely on Geno. The team threw him under the bus — a baptism by fire putting him into the lineup as a starter his first year! With the exception of some prolific QBs in NFL history these college QBs need some latitude (time) to make the switch to the NFL. As a fan of Geno when playing for WVU I know of his potential in the NFL based on what he accomplished in the NCAA. If the Jets O-line can give him protection and his receivers can catch something other than a cold, Geno will surprise you all this year.

Used to be a Jets fan.never again. Never, ever have ever rooted for a player in any sport to get injured and taken off the field never to return to the playing field. Until now. Any other dog people pit there? For that matter, what do dog people in the locker room really think of this creature?